Reiki is written with 2 Japanese kanji (kanji means Chinese characters). These kanji mean "spiritual energy".

The top kanji is "rei" - (lit. Japanese) which means "spiritual" or "sacred"

The bottom kanji is "ki" - (lit. Japanese) which means "energy"

All spiritual traditions talk of Oneness or the realization that the universe is you and you are the universe. Although it might be called by different names in different traditions, in essence it is still the same. In Buddhism there is the realization that you are a Buddha, in Taoism you realize that you and the universe are One, and in the Bible it is said that each of us is made in the image of God.

[International House of Reiki]

Levels, Uses, and Benefits of Reiki

Reiki is taught in 3 or 4 levels. Each level has its own:

Teaching guidelines (e.g., through The Canadian Reiki Association);

Healing symbol (used to direct and intend the energy);

“Attunement” (Reiju) process;

Reiki technique; and

Healing benefits.

The table below outlines the elements covered in each level, as well as the uses, benefits, and recommended class duration of each level.

Attunements

Within each Level, there is an "attunement" or initiation. Traditionally, in Japan, the attunement is called a "Reiju", which means "spiritual blessing" or "offering". During an attunement, the student has a "seed" experience of his or her own life force / spiritual energy moving through them (Reiki). Each student experiences their "seed" energy differently. During and/or after receiving a Reiki Attunement, students often report experiences involving:

Mystical experiences;

Receiving personal messages;

Healing;

Visions;

Past life experiences;

Opening of the third eye;

Increased intuitive awareness; and

Psychic abilities.

The attunement doesn't "give" you Reiki, as you are "Universal Life Energy" already. However, the healing energies that you were born with expand as Reiki begins to flow through you, and the system of Reiki will support you in evolving your skills of working with Reiki. As you nurture this seed energy with the elements of the Reiki system, the true power and life-force of Reiki is brought to fruition.

Cleansing and Detoxification Process

The Reiki attunement can start a cleansing process that affects the physical body as well as the mind and emotions. Toxins that have been stored in the body may be released along with feelings and thought patterns that are no longer useful. Therefore, a process of purification prior to the attunement is recommended to improve the benefit one receives. It is also recommended that following the attunement, the individual drink plenty of water to support the healing process. Attunements and treatments can begin the recipient’s personal healing immediately. This can show up as symptoms of physical or emotional release and a lot of emotional processing for up to 3 weeks after attunements.

**Anybody who does have a strong detoxification reaction is encouraged to self treat with Reiki, contact their teacher for help, or refer to a medical professional if the discomfort continues as it may not have anything to do with the attunement.

Reiki for Life

Once you have received a Reiki attunement, you will have Reiki for the remainder of your life. It does not wear off and you can never lose it.

Additional Attunements

While one attunement is all you need for each level to be attuned to that level, additional attunements bring benefit. Experimentation has found that additional attunements of the same level add to the value of that level. These benefits include:

Refinement of the Reiki energy one is channeling;

Increased strength of the energy;

Healing of personal problem;

Clarity of mind;

Increased psychic sensitivity; and

A raised level of consciousness.

Building Your Connection to Source Energy

REIKI MEDITATION[1]This meditation is used to increase sensitivity and connection to the source.

It has been used in the past as a Level 3 technique, introduced to the system of Reiki by Hiroshi Doi[2] and practiced in "Gendai Reiki Ho". I am introducing it in Level 1 because I believe it has extreme value in building connection to the source of Reiki, before becoming overly attached to the concepts of Reiki.

Please practice this meditation every day, even if only for 5 minutes to begin, working up to 15 or 30 minutes if possible.

1. Close your eyes. 2. Reach your hands up to the sky with both hands facing each other (forming a funnel shape), contacting the universe. 3. Feel the connection toLife / Source / Universal Love moving through you and surrounding you.

4. Bring your hands down in front of your face in the gassho position[3]. Keep your fingers straight and the tip of your middle finger at the height of your third eye or just below. 5. Feel the energy moving through the whole body. 6. Breathe naturally while imagining you are breathing through your hands.7. Continue for a while and relax.

8. Raise the non-dominant hand into the air and place your dominant hand, facing up, on your lap. Feel the energy coming in through your non-dominant hand and out through your dominant hand. 9. Bring your non-dominant hand down into your lap with the dominant hand. 10. Feel the universal love and energy for as long as you like. 11. End in Gassho.

[2] Mr Hiroshi Doi is one of the better known Reiki masters in Japan and in 1998 he published a book that sheds a little more light on the practice of Reiki in Japan, and as Mikao Usui taught it. His Reiki training began in a grass-roots style of Reiki (téaté) and then included a western style Reiki. He pursued knowledge on the true history of Reiki and took training from the former head of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, Mrs. Koyama. Mr. Doi has incorporated much of this teaching along with the best of his western training into his school of Reiki, called "Gendai Reiki". He is also a member of the Gakkai.

[3]GASSHO Gassho means to put the hands together. It signifies the oneness of Buddha and all beings. It also expresses reverence and gratitude.The palms of both hands are placed together with the fingers and thumbs extended. Both elbows should be fairly close to the body and the hands should be at mid-chest level. To bow during the gassho, the hands should be held steady, while the body is bent forward from the hips and then back to the upright position. Gassho is the natural expression of reverence and gratitude.

Personal Reflections

2. What measures will you be taking over the coming weeks to cleanse and detoxify in support of your reiki attunement preparation? Consider what would be reasonable for you given your lifestyle, and the state you would like to be in when your attunement arrives.

3. Practice the Reiki Meditation daily and journal / draw / paint your experience. This may include images or messages you receive, your experience of the energy, the challenges you experience, or anything you feel relevant.

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